#discrimination cw

[trauma-culture-is]

trauma culture is seeing people who are traumatized always been told to go away and be traumatized somewhere else

❤‎

#actually traumatized #trauma culture #trauma #discrimination cw #ableism cw #mod puns

[aro-culture-is]

[TW: Harassment, manipulation, internalized arophobia, amatonormativity]

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Aro culture is wanting to be left alone, not having your boundaries respected, continually facing harassment from people who claim to "love" you, and feeling completely and utterly alone as a result because the bad people exhausted you from the good ones and you haven't spoken to your friends in weeks because you're becoming burnt out at this point from all the bullshit in your life.

And then sometimes wondering just maybe if you had a romantic partner, you would really find that fix everyone else has.

(i'm so sorry that life has been so incredibly rough for you. romance won't fix trauma, but as someone who's been there and currently is in a similar situation - it gets better. Sometimes things fall back, but there will be a positive trend away from this.)

#Anonymous #aro culture is #aro #aromantic #actually aro #actually aromantic #ask #mod alexander #harrasment cw #discrimination cw #abuse cw #internalized arophobia cw

[ardentlove]

cw: mentions/implications (no details) of discrimination, dehumanisation, neglect, abuse.

ok but thinking about how arden would’ve faced very similar discrimination to hilda, especially in her formative years. arden experiencing similar dehumanisation, though not in the entirely same vein but certainly along the same line (ie. she didn’t experience being called a mongrel like hilda did, but she was treated as less than). how would this have affected her view of self? what impacts did it make on how she views her self in all aspects - gender, sexuality, etc.?

on top of that, going from living as a commoner who was heavily discriminated against to being thrown into living under her noble father’s rule who attempted to impose the views of traditional ishgardian womanhood on her and dissuade her from becoming a knight? to be held to a high standard that she had no idea the customs of (and to suffer consequences of when she failed to meet them)? to be met with fake courtesy from those who had previously scorned her — at least to her face when other adults were around (even though they also looked at her with pitying glances).

i need to expand all of this further but it’s going to be really interesting to think about and how it’s affected her view of the world, her view of herself, gender and how it ties into the repression of her sexuality, her avoidance of touch, and the like.

#mobile * #✧ — headcanons. #neglect cw #dehumanisation cw #discrimination cw #implications of abuse cw

[jesncin]

Happy Trans Day of Visibility! This year I wanted to celebrate by showing you what Lunar Boy, our upcoming middle grade graphic novel, means to us as queer Indonesian representation: the thought process behind crafting a sci-fi Indonesian future that embraces queer history.

Pre-order Lunar Boy or add it on goodreads! Support QPOC creators and stories!

#tdov #trans day of visibility #queer #trans #longish post #trans books #qpoc #cw queerphobic violence & discrimination mention #lunar boy #graphic novel #my art #did I whip up a 7 pg comic in a day for tdov? maybe #I've had the idea to draw this comic for a while now though. tdov felt like a good time for it #lgbt books

[kiruliom]

can we stop the belief that terfs hate transfems exclusively or like more than they hate cisgender men or transmascs and pretending it's just the trans women's battle against them and you're allies for them or whatever. this literally undermines how much harm theyre doing both to the trans community as a whole and even to the people (cis women) they claim to be protecting. terfs hate trans men just as much as trans women, transmascs arent safe because terfs view them as "uwu confused girlies trying to escape oppression", that is a very narrow worldview and inherently transphobic itself (it excludes butches, transmascs who's medically transitioned, intersex people, etc. etc.) transfems arent more oppressed by terfs than any other people theyre oppressing, please understand this. Im so sick and tired of people undermining my transmasc siblings when it comes to harassment from terfs because "well you arent a target to them", why are they harassing them then????

I just geniuenly dont like how the queer community can claim to be transmasc friendly and then view transmascs the same way transphobes view them (again, uwu girlies who are tricked into ruining their feminine beauty, they dont know anything and how lucky they are). feels both andromisic and misogynistic at the same time on top of transmisic idk how the fuck you manage to fuck up that badly

tldr: stop pretending transmascs arent affected by terfs nearly as much as transfems

anyone can reblog, except terfs of course they can fuck off

transfem is used as a way to refer to "TMA"/"AMAB" trans people transmasc is used as a way to refer to "TME"/"AFAB" trans people I know the definition is a bit more fluid now so I just wanted to note that

#not flagpost #discourse cw #transfem #trans rights #trans discourse #trans discussion #trans discrimination #trans #transgender #transmasc #anti radfem #transsexual #trans community #lgbt #lgbtq #lgbtqia #lgbt discourse #lgbtq community #queer community #lgbt representation

[xysidhequeen]

Take your time of answering this. No rush 😊

I’m curious after Jason been knighted as a Red Knight and first dealing with the Flash Fam screwing up the flow of time… Again…

A Flash: messes up the timestream

Jason:

Now, keep in mind Jason had been fucking with the Flash Fam prior to being formally knighted. Being knighted as Fright Knight(or Red Knight in this case) just gives him a bit of a power up and also gives him a good deal of authority in the 'Realms.

Now what was really scary was the first time Jason went after a Flash fucking with the timestream while in his Red Knight armor.

Just. This hulking suit of armor and ghostly flames running at them like the Terminator and. They're the FLASH fam. They're supposed to be the fastest people around. Yet they can't outrun this full on armored tank of a being.

When he catches up to whichever Flash is responsible he just scruffs them like misbehaving kittens and shakes them.

"Stop. Fucking. With. Time. You. Little. Shit." And a few more shakes for good measure. And whichever Flash it is just nods meekly. Because what else are you gonna do when this man who is more built than Superman, faster than you, who is coated in black and red armor literally radiating flames picks you up like you weigh nothing more than a wet paper bag and scolds you like a puppy who piddled on the carpet?

You agree and then offer to buy him chilidogs. (All of the Flash Fams know the big tank dude likes chilidogs, the skinny eldritch nightmare likes burgers)

Danny and Jason are the Flash Fam's version of those scary sea stories sailors tell each other. They're what goes bump in the night.

#zee answers #dp x dc #danny phantom #dc x dp #dpxdc #dp x dc crossover #the king and his red knight au #the king and his red knight #tkahrk #tkahrk au #danny phantom au #this goes for reverse flash and reverse flash fam too #Jason and Danny do not discriminate on who they terrorize #if you fuck with the timeline youre getting scolded like a bad pet #the flash fams dont realize this is the good option #they dont want CW coming after them with his old man 'get off my lawn' energy #he'll show you every single bad timeline that exists for you and leave you in a vall pf existential dread #i love that Jason and Danny terroizimg various memebers of the Flash Fam now exists in the background of my AU #itll probably be only refrenced as an aside or maybe directly refrenced ONCE but now we all know its there

[bethanythebogwitch]

I don't dislike self-censorship terms like "unalive" because they're cringy, I dislike them because I don't think advertisers should be able to shape how we talk about certain subjects. Survivors of abuse or other traumatic experiences should not have to make up new words because platforms are scared of chasing away advertisers. Minorities should able able to discuss their experiences with stuff like discrimination without censoring themselves. Queer people should be able to use their preferred terms without a website blocking their posts because a trans person used the word "transgender". we should be able to discuss real world events either ongoing or historical without having to water things down for advertisers. These new words have left the internet and become things people use in real life, and I din't think advertising companies should have the power to dictate our language to us.

#linguistics #unalive #censorship #rant #cw abuse mention #cw discrimination mention

[valiantstarlights]

[Wedding Planner AU] Part 2: On the Restaurant's Balcony Area.

Tagging: @unfortunatelyevent @usernamesareoverratedseriously and @mademoisellemacabre , all of whom have expressed wanting to read more of this AU. I hope you like it. 🖤

--

"I was thinking the wedding should take place just as the sun starts to dip into the horizon, and the reception be held right after," Mrs. Nyx Endless says, then titters. "Of course, the reception would last until morning. We have to make sure that all our hundreds of guests are happy until they leave, and that would be whatever time they decide to leave. I'm thinking an open bar and two dozen new hors d'oeuvres every half an hour. We'd absolutely hate to bore anyone."

Hob nods and notes all of those down, saying nothing but already cursing internally. A sunset wedding alone is going to be hell to arrange. He'd have to consult actual meteorologists for it, and then pray to a hundred different gods to make sure it's not going to be rainy, cloudy, or whatever the hell England's weather is planning to do on that date. And two dozen new hors d'oeuvres every half an hour? Christ.

"A sunset wedding sounds marvellous, Nyx," Mrs. Muse agrees. "The golden hues of the sun would complement the golden theme of the wedding. And, of course, Calliope must look like Midas's daughter herself."

Hob nods dutifully again and notes that down, careful to keep his face blank, then bites the insides of his cheeks so he doesn't laugh in Mrs. Muse's face at that unfortunate reference.

Were Ms. Calliope to look like Midas's daughter herself, then Dream would be marrying a silent, golden statue. But then again, maybe he would prefer that. Lord knows he'd want someone as different from Hob as he could get, who everyone and their 3rd butler knows is just one dirty, stinking, unworthy, flea-bitten mongrel.

"I..." Calliope hesitates, then looks around for support. Hob pointedly does not notice how she toys with Dream's fingers, and how Dream squeezes her hand back. It looked like an automatic, intimate gesture. A silent conversation where meanings are translated almost instantaneously because of how well one understands the other. Hob looks steadfastly down at his notes and wills his own hands not to shake. "I would just like to have a simple garden wedding, actually."

Mrs. Muse tuts at her. "Nonsense, darling. A 'simple garden wedding' will not be the most talked-about event of the season. No, we'll have to have your wedding on a beach, somewhere lovely with white sand, and you'll be bedecked in topaz and sapphires like a goddess."

Mrs. Endless gasps in excitement. "Oh, Mnemosyne, that's such a brilliant idea! Sweet Calliope would look absolutely stunning in topaz and sapphire jewelry, while Dream could wear some matching blue and yellow roses pinned on his lapel."

Hob, again, says nothing to that and only notes everything down. In Calliope's previously empty column, he writes down '(simple) garden wedding.' In Mrs. Muse's column, he adds 'white sand beach wedding, sapphire and topaz jewelry (lots).' In Mrs. Endless's column, he adds 'blue and yellow roses pinned on groom's lapel.'

(Hob doesn't think he can write Dream's name yet. He thinks even that will hurt him.)

Dream has yet to say anything, and his column is as empty as the promises he once made to Hob. "And you, Mr. Endless?" Hob asks his notes. "Do you have any preferences?"

Dream takes a moment to even acknowledge that he has been asked a question. Hob thinks this is because Dream's father, that old curmudgeonly bastard, just died a year ago, and Dream is probably used to others saying, 'Mr. Endless' and the title referring only to his father. Well tough luck, because Hob isn't about to call him Young Master Dream or whatever their staff calls the Endless children.

"Anything Calliope wants," is what he finally says, voice still sounding the same, so hypnotizing and deep, if a bit hoarse, like he wasn't used to talking anymore. His eyes remain on the mostly full plate in front of him. He has barely eaten the previous courses, and his small square of chocolate cake with raspberry filling (decorated with gold leaf and a small gravity-defying chocolate sculpture of a bird in flight) had only been played with to create the illusion that he took a bite.

Hob hates that he still notices these things. Notices these things and worry. That it still makes him want to drag Dream to the nearest hole-in-the-wall restaurant he knows where they serve cheap but hearty meals that fill your stomach as the cozy atmosphere fills your soul.

"Dream," Mrs. Endless scolds. "Will it kill you to sound enthusiastic? This is your wedding, too, you know!"

Mrs. Muse hushes her friend and coos at Dream. "Oh, Nyx, please, it's fine." To her daughter, she says, "Did you hear that, Calliope? Dream says, 'Anything you want,' so you better want something truly spectacular! My, what a good man your son is, Nyx," she continues, seemingly not noticing how Mrs. Endless is continuing to scold Dream through her eyes. "So sweet and accommodating."

Mrs. Muse then turns to Hob like he is just another lady in her court during rich-people tea time. Like they were close and she isn't thinking about how his mere presence is polluting the very air she breathes. "Isn't he just the sweetest, Mr. Gadling?"

Hob thinks about his boyfriend Dream from years ago and how he is in the mornings, wearing nothing but Hob's ratty jumpers, his messy hair that looks like a bird's nest, his eyes soft and blinking sleep away, smiling at Hob like he's the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. He thinks about Dream's gentle, addicting little kisses that Hob only token protests at because finals week is coming up and they need to study and not fuck like rabbits again. He thinks of Dream saying, 'yes,' saying, 'I love you, Hob,' saying, 'I'll love you forever.'

Hob nods politely, showing Mrs. Muse his most impersonal smile and speaking in his most professional voice. "I'm sure he is."

#wedding planner au #CW: overbearing mothers #CW: discrimination based on social class #to the tune of 12 Days of Christmas: On the current date todaaay I give to all of you 😊 #28 STAB WOUNDS #lmao sorry #CW: pain? #dreamling #the sandman #my writing #good job my thumbs

[punkeropercyjackson]

'Progressive' Harry Potter fans are so hard to take seriously because they'll be talking about 'reclamation' and then their idea of that is.......bashing the characters who're literal traumatized children and ignoring the canon poc and calling rich dudebro bullies punks while claiming they're the ones who're minorities Ackstually

#the way i still remember being an hp autistic and nonstop in the trenches for my faves when my faves were fucking harry and the weasleys😭😭 #and the people fighting me on why they're bad were the fucking 'slytherin pride' mfs.why are you proud of relating to the wizard n*zis #they GENUINELY thought slytherins were 'discriminated against for being ambitious' and STILL DO.please go outside they called people slurs #anti harry potter #anti marauder's era #anti hogwarts legacy #anti fantastic beasts #anti hogwarts mystery #punk #pastel punk tag #ableism #racism cw #antisemitism #androcentrism #transmascphobia #transmisogyny #white favoritism #exorsexism #fatphobia #misogyny cw #trans #trans rights #poc #child abuse #victim blaming #classism #💌 #summerposting

[trauma-culture-is]

trauma culture is literally (in its literal sense) being hatecrimed and not caring

❤‎

#actually traumatized #trauma culture #trauma #discrimination cw #hatecrime cw #desensitization cw #mod puns

[cutechan555]

Dear diary - page 3

Why can't I stop making them

CW //

Discrimination and toxic workplace

< Previous Next >

#toxic workplace #cw discrimination #pizza tower #writing #peppino spaghetti #dear diary

[0ffbeatqueer]

Just...What???

I've looked into some articles (link here, and here) on this and it's honestly so confusing and extra. People'll really do anything to exclude trans people, huh.

Basically the International Chess Federation is quoted as saying that changing one's gender "has a significant impact on a player's status and future eligibility". Mmmkay. Totally.

Trans women are able to keep their titles from before they transitioned (so titles in the open category), but trans men, while not facing the same blatant banning as the women, are forced to have their pre-transition titles "abolished". Damn.

The regulations will not allow trans women to compete with other women unless they have proof they've undergone a complete transition process, which is fucking stupid especially considering the fact that that process takes time, money, and shouldn't be a requirement for anyone. Not to mention that this is literally about a fucking board game. (I know it can be an intense thinking game, so no disrespect to chess people - I'm just saying that this (trans people) really shouldn't be an issue here)

Further more, even though the International Chess Federation claims to say that they won't talk about people's transitioning, they are planning to “make an appropriate mark in the players’ database and/or use other measures to inform organizers on a player being a transgender,”. Which is so freaking unbelievable and I'm actually getting so angry right now.

I was going to make this just a silly lil post to make fun of the situation but the more I read about it, the more frustrated and hurt I got for all us transfolk out in the world just trying to live our lives when the world won't let us.

Definitely read the articles, they're both very informative. I will update if there's any way to try and petition for change or something.

EDIT: My first version of this said men's category, which was incorrect; there is a women's category and an open category.

#transphobia #cw transphobia #transgender #trans #transmasculine #transfeminine #transfem #transmasc #ftm #mtf #lgbtq #queer #discrimination #chess #news #queer news #chess news #sports #lgbtq+

[dumblemonchickenwing]

continuation under cut

#deltarune #comic #long post #tw bullying #tw low self esteem #issues cw #insecurity cw #pink addison #spamton #spamton g spamton #namecalling cw #negative cw #dtr #alternative reality #tw discrimination

[blogalreadydoesntexist]

if i see you comment shit on a post about trans women and go 'well males with experiences of transgender dysphori-'

im going to personally fucking skin you you ratty ass piece of bitch fuck. I'm going to shit into your mouth, give you laxatives, and make you into a goddamn one person human centipede.

transphobia is gross as shit. i dont care if you think youre supportive or what, im going to call you a piece of shit for being a piece of shit.

vice versa goes as well. transphobic shit will not be tolerated, and i DONT CARE for pieces of shit.

ps: terfs cry harder :3

dual ps: if you want a nazi sucking terf blocklist just head down the reblog and comment notes DAMN you guys get no bitches

#al's general discourse #i find it hysterical that if terfs see women being disliked for toxic traits they piss themselves then they see a trans woman being praised #-for good traits and start shitting and sobbing. #like bitch i just???? fucker im white and privileged and shit #yet i still understand that discrimination is fucking gross. wonder how you guys react to black women #pieces of shit probably think that black people can only be guys. wouldnt be surprised; jkr asses. #cw #tw #abuse cw #cw homophobia #cw violence #cw abuse #cw transphobes #tw transphobes #tw homophobia

[suzubelle-chan]

Pieces and Moments: Words (Jormungand/Amit shipping)

CW: Bullying (past), Discrimination (past)

Thank you so much Ipham2525 for beta reading these for me. Now onto the fic!

It is a truth universally acknowledged that if a man desires a woman, he’ll find some way to spend time with her.

Jormungand sighed at the pile of paperwork in front of him. Compared to the mountains he saw towering over the chancellor’s and the king’s desks, this was a molehill. Yet as he stared at all the squiggles, a sense of discomfort made him shiver. 

He had an assistant who usually took care of this work. However, an accident left him with a broken arm and leg. He would be fine, but for at least a few weeks, he couldn’t work. Thus, leaving Jormungand alone with the papers.

“Abi will probably grumble, but will take this paperwork. Still…” the captain lamented, resting his head in his hands.

There was a soft knock at the door. “Captain Jormungand? Sir?”

He looked toward the sound of Princess Amit’s voice. “Ah, come in, my lady.”

The princess stepped in, slightly shaking with each step, carrying a tray covered in a small teapot, a cup, and a plate of cookies, all  jumping with each movement.

“Are you alright, my lady? You seem nervous.” 

“No…no, I guess. I’m just tired, my lord,” the princess said, slowly setting the tray down. “I…I thought that with all the extra work that has come regarding new treaties with the human countries, I’d offer some help and offer snacks around.”

Jormungand felt a small smile creep up on his face. “Very few could match the princess in kindness,” he thought. “Thank you.”

Her hands snapped back in front of her. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“No…” he started but then glanced at the paperwork. It would only be this one time, at least until he could find other solutions. Maybe find someone else who could help him later on. “Well, if you would—”

“I’ll do it!” the princess declared, hands clasped in front of her chest, like she was pleading. 

“Yes?” The soldier blinked. 

“Whatever it is you need, I’ll do it.”

Stunned, the captain cleared his throat and said, “I…need you to read some papers out to me.”

The princess looked at the papers and then jumped a bit, hand on her snout. “Oh of course. I supposed you’re tired from all your usual duties. I’ll happily read to you.”

“Thank you…I apologize for any confusion you may face while reading.” He motioned to the chairs, mainly reserved for scolding soldiers or comforting families. “Please take a seat.”

“Thank you, my lord.” She sat down. “These documents are for you, are they not? So as long as you understand them, that’s all that matters, right?” 

“That is true...” the soldier admitted with a nod. 

“Let me see…” The princess picked up the papers. “The swords currently in the armory…” 

The two continued like this for a while, taking a break for the occasional snack or drink. The time eased away gently, and even warmed the tension between the two reptiles. Jormungand watched as the princess’s shoulders relaxed, her grip on the papers easing as time went on. 

“...Thus we need to seek out available smiths and leather workers in order to repair most of our stock in the armory,” Amit finished, shifting the papers from her face and taking a breath. 

“Thank you, my lady.” 

The princess nodded, handing him the papers. “There’s no need for that, my lord. Anything I can do to help you, I would be eager to do it.”

As the captain took the papers, he blinked. “Truly?” 

“Of course.”

The captain pondered for a moment. “Well… would you be so kind as to write my responses for me?” 

“Write for…ah your hand must be rather sore as well.” She took a sheet of paper and a quill that sat before him, untouched. “Shall we begin?”

Now the guilt clenched around his heart. He knew that she admired him in some way. Pretty much every reptile he met gazed at him so warmly. After all, he was the first reptile to join the royal army, the first to become captain of the royal guard. Why else would she keep a scarf from a common soldier and return it decades later?  She meant so well, truly wanting to help him for pure kindness’s sake, and here he was deceiving her. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Of course. Sometimes I take dictation for my queen, so I know what to do. And I did say I’d do anything to help you.”

Jormungand sighed, hands gripping on the table. “My lady, I have something to confess.”

Amit’s eyes grew wide. “Yes?” she asked softly.  

“Well,” the captain sighed. “You see…I don’t know how to read or write very well…” 

“Oh.”

A silence closed in, suffocating the captain. His mind pulled up the jeers and snarls of yesteryears, from his early days of being the only reptile in a platoon of mammals. With the shake of his head, he shoved them away. 

“It’s well known that I hail from a common family and in the days of the old king, education wasn’t widespread throughout the classes. When I was a teen, I’d already dedicated my life to the sword so I didn’t bother with formal education much then.”

The princess tilted her head. “Did you have some education at least?”

“As I progressed through the ranks, Abi—I mean, Anubis, would give me a few lessons. But things were rocky in those days; the shifting of power from the council to the king, it made him too busy. I do know some words, but it was easier to hire someone to do the paperwork so I can focus on traveling and battling dissenters. Unfortunately, the man I hired is currently injured, so I’m in a bit of trouble. If you could continue assisting me, I would be most grateful.”

The soldier watched as the princess’s face slowly reddened, snout to eyes like a piece of fabric soaking up ink from its corner.

“My lady?”

The princess started to speak, her body wobbling in her seat, “I…I would be more than h…happy to help you…and if I could be so bold…I…I could give you some lessons. Her Majesty spends more time in m…meetings now so she doesn’t need me to tend to her as much. I…I have plenty of time.”

“Are you sure?” the soldier asked. 

The color faded just a bit as Amit took in a few deep breaths and continued, “Pardon me, you still need assistance either way. Whenever you get a break from work, I can give you some lessons. When shall I see you again?”

“Well, I don’t have any expeditions planned in the future, so…around five o’clock in the evening tomorrow, when I break the men from training. We can get to any paperwork first and then go from there. If I can keep imposing on your kindness, I would like to start tomorrow.”

“Won…wonderful,” she said in what Jormungand swore was a sigh. But then feverishly waving her hands: “And please, sir. You are not imposing at all. I’m more than happy to do it!”

He watched as a small puff of steam came out of her head. “Are you sure you’re fine with this?”

Amit quickly shook herself, dispersing the billows. “Yes, absolutely.” She quickly picked up the pen. “Now let’s get those responses down, shall we?”

He smiled at her. “Thank you again my lady.”

More steam rose from the maiden’s head as she wrote down the captain’s words.

Later on, Jormungand watched as Amit stiffly walked out of his office and then heard her steps race away. “I hope I haven’t stressed her out with this.” He sighed.How could he overcome this? “Okay, let’s think of this as a mission. I don’t often fail missions. I won’t fail this one. I’ll need to truly focus this time. Otherwise…”

His mind conjured up images of the past, mammals towering over him as they pointed and sneered. Those images didn’t hurt as much as a new, potential one. One of Amit, disdainful, glaring, and turning her back on him. That hurt so much worse. He didn’t know why, but he would do everything he could to prevent it. 

The Captain of Ozmargo’s Royal Guard sat up straight, ready for conflict,tea and some snacks at his side. He was ready for anything. 

He did not flinch when there was a knock on the door or Amit’s calling out, “Pardon me, I’m here my lord.”

“Yes, come on in.”

Amit came in, a bag over her arm. “I hope I haven’t kept you…” She took one look at the man at the desk and then slowly stepped back. She quickly said, “I’m sorry. I see you’re busy. I’ll come back later.” With a bowed head, she left the office, shutting the door behind her. 

Jormungand bolted out of the office after her. He found her a few paces away, head down. He quickly reached out to her while closing the distance. “Wait! Miss Amit! I’m free!”

Amit twisted back, hands clenched. “Are you sure? It looked like you were about to enter hostile negotiations rather than a reading lesson.”

The captain replied, “I just wanted to be prepared. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

Amit glanced around the hallways, seeing no one else in sight. “I think we should take this in your office.”

“Yes.”

They both sat at the desk in silence, steam wafting from cups.

Amit clenched her hands on the table, looking at them. “If you don’t want lessons, it’s fine. You don’t have to force yourself to learn. If you just want me to be your secretary and go on as you have done before, that’s fine. I apologize for pressing this on you.”

Jormungand sighed, holding the back of his neck. “No no. I’m grateful for your offer. I should have learned earlier, not to mention I should do my own work. No need to rely on others all the time.”

Amit took in a deep breath and then faced the captain. “Lord Anubis is often…vocal about his opinions. I suspect if he didn’t want to deal with your work, he would have thrown his paws in the air and not touched your work at all. Plus, it’s not anyone’s fault that your assistant is gone. I heard he was a pretty good soldier when on the battlefield as well. I’m sure he was happy to help you. As…as am I.”

He now looked at her. If he had to describe the princess to anyone, it would be surprising. When she first arrived at the castle, she seemed so timid and nervous. Yet time and time again, she showed boldness, such as declaring she would be strong, presenting him again with her charm. Once again, he was taken aback by this lady. 

Amit set her hands on the table. “Can you tell me why you want to learn to read? I’m not saying there’s no wrong reason to learn something, but forcing yourself to learn something isn’t always helpful. If I know why it’s so important to you, then I can help ease your fears.”

Fears…They seemed numerous. There was a small section of mammal soldiers that envied him, thinking he didn’t deserve his position. The beasts of higher rank couldn’t believe a commoner reached such heights. He could usually push such fears down, use them as fuel to succeed. What could be holding him back this time? 

“I don’t want you to think less of me for being illiterate.” 

The words escaped his mouth, fleeing the turmoil in his mind without notice. Once he realized what he said, he immediately held his mouth and looked away. 

“Sir…I would never think of you in that way. You’re…one of the greatest men I know.”

He slowly turned to the woman. He saw nothing but admiration in her wide warm eyes. “Really?”

“Of course. I mean you’ve led countless battles and saved so many lives. Most of my life I’ve heard praises for you from all kinds of beasts, not just reptiles. There isn’t a man in your command that doesn’t speak highly of you.” 

“I suppose so…” He rubbed the back of his neck, setting his other hand on top of the table. “In the early days, the mammal soldiers would often mock me for being different. Scales, eyes, tongue, the physical things that made me reptilian. Of course, I couldn’t do anything about those, so I decided to focus on what I could improve: my sword skills, my strength, and my endurance. And I'm proud of how far I’ve come. Yet, even in this time, I know there are still people waiting for me to fall, waiting for any moment of weakness and they’ll tear me down. I don’t mind the bullying, but I’d hate for the men who trust me with their lives to be slandered by it too.” 

Amit placed a hand on top of his. “Sir, I’d say with all of my heart: not knowing how to do one thing doesn’t make you lesser than anyone else.”

The knight released his neck, sitting up straighter . “You think so?”

“Of course, your men would follow you anywhere. I don’t see how not being able to read or write would affect that. In addition, you don’t have to know everything right away. There are those with innate talent for things, but if someone is attacked by bandits, you wouldn’t really expect them to know how to defend themselves with a sword just by picking it up. I certainly didn’t get every recipe right the first time I tried it and even now I still mess up pastries from time to time.”

“Really?” He tried recalling the few snacks he indulged in; they were always so delicious. He couldn't imagine them otherwise. 

“Yes. And there’s nothing wrong with making mistakes. There’s nothing wrong with taking your time to learn something. But it is rather tragic that you fear failing so much that you don’t let yourself try.”

He sighed, now smiling. “You’re right. Let’s begin.”

Amit smiled and then noticed her hand on top of his. Her face flushed and she took her hand back, as if the contact burned her. "Well now that we’ve gotten that cleared up, I hope you’re looking forward to our lessons.” She started pulling books out of the bag. “Since you said that you know some words, I've brought some children’s books to start off with.”

Jormungand reached for one of the brightly colored books and opened it up. He could make out some letters, but it all looked like nonsense to him. “Looks like I have a long way to go.”

Amit looked at the book and placed a hand over her snout. “Pardon me, sir.” She took the book briefly so she could flip it around. “I think this will help.”

Now most of the nonsense looked like words to the captain. Now it was his turn to blush. “Ah, thank you.”

She stared for a moment, her eyes wide, and then smiled, “You’re welcome so now let’s begin.”

A few weeks later, Jormungand found himself walking in a daze. Every step the captain took felt like lead strapped to his ankles, heavy and uneven. True, emergency missions were, by their nature, a surprise. When Anubis first told him the news, he accepted it with regular ease, mind figuring out the best route and writing mental lists on what to pack. The shock struck him when he realized that he would no longer be seeing her ladyship most of the time. True, they didn’t hold lessons every day. Yet it was often enough that he would usually see the princess waiting for him with some book in hand. He tried to shake the thoughts off; it was ridiculous. Lessons could resume as soon as he returned. Yet there was still a little ache when he thought about leaving her. As he reached his office door, he took a deep breath and headed in.

There was Amit, smiling softly as she read over the last pages of a light green book. She shut the book and held it close to her chest, sighing happily. 

There was something about the sound that made him sigh too. His heart jumped a bit at the sight. “It’s been happening more often lately. Maybe the priest is right and I should take more than one rest day a month…”

“Oh sir!” She rose, setting her book on the desk, and gave a quick curtsey. “Good to see you again. You’ve progressed so much, I thought we could get started on a longer book. I’ve found some novels I think you might enjoy. She started to plop down books, mainly with brown, blue, and black covers, but when she saw the look on his face, she paused. “Pardon me, but is something wrong?”

The captain watched the woman, admitting sadly, “It looks like our lessons will have to be postponed for a while. I’ll be leaving on a mission tomorrow. “

“Ah I see, more conflicts I suppose.” The princess’s snout and shoulders dropped, her hands clasped demurely before her. 

“Indeed, Her Majesty often helps resolve conflicts between clans. Still, some will insist on fighting over one thing or another.” 

“True,” the princess sighed. But then she brightened, clapping her hands together. “Well, just because you’re going away doesn’t mean you have to stop your lessons.” 

“Pardon?”

“It’s actually a perfect exercise. Pick out a book to read on your journey. Try to read a few pages, when you have the time, such as before you go to bed. I’m not asking you to finish the book, just make a little progress. I’ll ask you a few questions about how far you’ve gotten in the story and we’ll go from there.”

He stared at the woman blankly. “Really? You think I can do tha?.”

“Of course, it’s been a great honor to help you. I’d say you’ve learned so much…And…” She glanced away fiddling with her skirt. “I’ve been so happy to help you and I must say…” Now she added in a softer voice, her face flushing a familiar red, “I enjoy spending time with you…very much.”

For a moment, the captain watched the woman taking in her words. He felt himself warm a bit, so he turned away. “Ah yes, your lessons are quite enjoyable.”

“I’m glad. Thank you sir. ” The princess took in a deep breath, regaining her composure. She held a hand out, fingers aimed at the books. “ Now please choose whichever book you like.” 

Jormungand viewed all the covers, sitting neatly in rows like soldiers waiting for orders. Yet his eyes kept snagging at the light green novel, set down crooked in haste. When he tilted his head, he could make out the title, Combat and Confidences. He stepped over and picked up the book. “May I have this one?”

Amit blushed. “Really? That one?”

“Yes, forgive me, but I did come in on you reading it and it looked like you enjoyed it. If you are done with it, I’d like to read it for myself.”

“Of course, but…” She started to fidget. “I’m not sure you would care for the story.”

“Really, what’s it about?”

“Well…”

“Well?”

“At its core, it’s a love story sir.”

He blinked and then commented, “Oooh. That sounds pleasant.” 

“Are you sure? I fear that this story may bore you. Perhaps you’d like a more adventurous or action-filled story.”

“I’d say I deal with ‘action’ and ‘adventure’ on a daily basis. I think a change will be good.” He idly flipped through the book. “So, is it a story about two people loving each other?”

“Not quite, it’s a story about two people falling in love.”

“Really? How does that happen?”

Amit suddenly brightened, clapping her hands. “Oh, well you see the heroine is having a hard time managing her estate thanks to her relative so she requests a lawyer to come help settle matters. However, when visiting his office, both the lady and the lawyer are kidnapped. They are able to escape, but they fear the villains will try to damage her reputation, so the two team up to figure out who had the heroine kidnapped.” 

“That does sound interesting. I look forward to it.”

“Good…. I guess I’ll get going then.” Amit collected the other books and placed them in a bag. “Take care on your mission. I do hope you enjoy reading after all. You just have to try, my lord.”

“Ah yes. Goodbye.”

She gave a small bow. “Goodbye.” And with that she was gone. 

He was then left with the green book. It certainly looked a bit thicker than other ones Amit offered him. He wasn’t sure why he wanted to read the book so badly at that moment. The only thing that came to his mind was the little sigh and smile the princess wore…

He picked up the book, carrying it underneath his arm. “I don’t have to read it right away…It can wait until later.”

Jormungand left on his trip. With each passing day, the book somehow grew heavier and heavier in his bag. Even after making camp, finding the attacker’s base, flushing them out, and assuring the locals would be safe, he hadn’t even glanced at the first page, let alone read the book. He knew that Amit would be disappointed in him. Deep down, he knew she would try to brush it off. She would state he probably did not have much time anyway. Maybe just a little sigh and move on but still…

Sitting on his bed, legs and arms crossed, he stared down at the green book. “ I can do this. I’ve dealt with far worse enemies. All I have to do is read a few pages. Just a few pages. Miss Amit said I didn’t have to finish the book, so…” He knew this, but all he could really do was glare at the book like it was a spy not giving up his secrets.

“Captain, are you available?”

He quickly jumped from the bed, in a perfectly alert posture. “Ah yes, come in.”

A young gecko man came in, arms filled with a large rolled-up paper. “There’s been reports of a recent landslide in the area. No casualties, few injuries, but it does block the path we were supposed to take to get back to the capital.” The man spread the paper out. “We need to know which way to go now.”

“Ah good let’s see.”

They spent a few minutes plotting a new course. It would put them a few hours behind schedule, but they should still arrive on their expected day. No need to send a messenger beast to alert anyone of this new development. 

“Thank you, sir.” The man picked up the map and started to head to the flap when he spotted the book on the bed. He picked it up. “Huh what’s this?”

Jormungand felt heat crawl up his neck and face. “Uh that…is a book I was reading.”

The gecko’s eyes widened. “What really? You can read?”

Now icy fear filled the captain’s veins, “You…didn’t think I could?”

“Well, most of us reptilian soldiers came from commoner families, like yourself. Most of us couldn't afford schooling, but we still wanted to make a better life for ourselves and families. We just assumed that you were like us in that respect. But I guess that you’re really a cut above us.”

Jormungand looked away. He knew that his men looked up to him. He liked to be an example of what a soldier should be like, especially for reptiles, to show them they can be just as great as their mammal counterparts. However, he never really wanted them to think they were that different. He wasn’t that special, at least not to himself.

“Well, actually I only started to learn recently.”

“Oh really...ah that’s why we’ve seen the princess coming out of your office! People have been wondering what kept bringing her there.”

“Ah yes. She’s been giving me lessons.”

 “Oh…” As he set the book down, the gecko muttered, “Well there goes several coins down the drain.”

“What was that?”

“Ah nothing, just a thought sir. Think she’d be willing to give us lessons? Can you ask for us please sir?”

A moment of hesitation. A part of him thought of her gently teaching his men, and it warmed his heart. However, that was quickly overrun by the thought of his soldiers pestering her like a bunch of unruly children, overwhelming her poor ladyship.

“Well, I will pass the idea along to her ladyship, but it will have to be her decision.”

“Thank you sir.”

Once the man left, Jormungand got back on his bed. “I do hope you enjoy reading after all. You just have to try my lord.”

“Just try…” he said as he picked up the book and opened it to the first page. 

Chapter 1 In which a sensible young lady must choose between the peril of a careening carriage and mud….deep mud

“Huh, I’ve never worried about such things. But then again ladies are more worried about their appearance. Plus, she might get stuck if the mud is really deep and sticky. Hope she’ll be okay.”

…

“All thoughts of ballrooms and inquisitive glances were instantly drowned by the flow of marvelous sensations coursing through her body and a sudden desire to drag Randolf into the shadows. 

They would go back into the ballroom soon…but not yet.”

Jormungand then sighed as he shut the book. What a story! So much tension, even right from the start! He swore he held his breath as the kidnapping occurred. He never saw who the villains were at all until they were revealed! And he was also glad the lady and the lawyer were together now…

“My lord, are you alright sir?” 

The captain looked around his tent, seeing light peeping from gaps between the fabric and ground. He then turned toward the opening, seeing light purple clouds from behind a beaver soldier. 

“It’s morning?” the captain said.

“Yes sir.” The beaver nodded slowly, looking over his commander.

“Ah forgive me, I didn’t sleep well last night.” He quickly stood up, sliding the book back on the bed. “Let the men have breakfast and we shall leave in about an hour.”

The mammal nodded. “Yes my lord.”

Once the soldier left, exhaustion smacked Jormungand and he collapsed onto the bed. He couldn’t believe he spent a whole night reading a book! Then again, he couldn’t believe he read an entire book at all! 

As he prepared himself for the long road ahead, yawns pausing his usually efficient packing, he said, “I wonder what Miss Amit would say….”

He could just imagine her clapping her hands. “ You’ve done so well, my lord! You must tell me what you liked!” And then her face flushing red. “ Well if you liked it. It’s alright if you don’t.”   He could also see her waving her hands frantically. “What?!? A whole night, sir please! You must rest!” 

All of these thoughts greatly appealed to him, but really, he just wanted to see her again, discuss this book, share some snacks, maybe even get another book recommendation. 

He let out a yawn. “Well perhaps after some sleep. Hopefully the next one won’t be as exciting.” 

#niehime to kemono no ou #sacrificial princess and the king of beasts #jormungand niehime #amit niehime #joramit #fanfcition #cw: bullying #cw: discrimination